January 1, 1960: Cameroon's independence 56 years ago

Out of the 18 African colonies who had their independence in 1960, Cameroun which was a former German colony was shared between France and the UK in 1918.

As the first African country to attain statehood, Cameroun celebrated its independent on January 1, 1960, and became known as the Republic of Cameroon with Yaounde as its capital and Ahmadou Ahidjo was the first President.

It has been 56 years on January 1, 2016. Listen to the proclamation speech of the independence of Cameroon by President Ahmadou Ahidjo below.